Genetic associations between weight at maturity and maturation rate with ages and weights at first and second calving in Canchim beef cattle

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Heat or cold chronic stress affects organ weights and Hsp70 levels in chicken embryos

This study was carried out with the objective of evaluating the effect of heat (38.8 degreesC) or cold (35.8 degreesC) stress on chicken embryo development and tissues Hsp70 levels, after the 13th day of incubation. Embryo weight (percent egg weight), organ weight (percent embryo weight) and Hsp70 levels (ng Hsp70 mug(-1) total protein) in different tissues (liver, breast muscle, heart, lungs, brain and kidney) were studied at the end of incubation. Cold stress induced a lower embryo weight and lower kidney and lungs weights, whereas heart and liver were lighter in heat-stressed embryos. An interaction between temperature and age was obtained only for Hsp70 levels in kidney and heart. Cold-stressed embryos showed higher Hsp70 levels in the brain, lungs and liver; a decrease in brain and breast muscle Hsp70 levels was seen from the 19th to 20th days in control embryos. Hsp70 levels increased with age in kidneys of control embryos and in heart of heat- and cold-stressed embryos. In conclusion, this study showed that chicken embryo organ weights are affected by incubation temperature, and that Hsp70 expression is tissue dependent (higher levels being seen in the brain) being cold-stress more effective in increasing Hsp70 levels in most studied tissues.

Hematological values and body, heart and liver weights of male and female broiler embryos of young and old breeder eggs

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Genotype by environment interaction for birth and weaning weights of composite beef cattle in different regions of Brazil

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Estimation of genetic parameters for body weights, scrotal circumference, and testicular volume measured at different ages in Nellore cattle

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Study of relations among age at first calving, average weight gains and weights from weaning to maturity in Nellore cattle

Dados de 23.120 animais da raça Nelore foram utilizados para estimar herdabilidade e correlações genéticas para a idade ao primeiro parto, o ganho em peso da desmama ao ano e do ano ao sobreano, o peso à desmama, o peso ao ano, o peso ao sobreano e os pesos aos 2 e aos 5 anos de idade. Utilizou-se o método da máxima verossimilhança restrita, em análise multicaracterística. As herdabilidades estimadas para idade ao primeiro parto, ganho da desmama ao ano, ganho do ano ao sobreano, peso à desmama, peso ao ano, peso ao sobreano e peso aos 2 aos 5 anos foram de 0,17 ± 0,01; 0,23 ± 0,03; 0,25 ± 0,03; 0,28 ± 0,02; 0,26 ± 0,03; 0,30 ± 0,03; 0,32 ± 0,02 e 0,36 ± 0,04, respectivamente. Correlações genéticas baixas e negativas foram estimadas entre a idade ao primeiro parto e os pesos medidos em diferentes idades, que variaram de -0,26 a -0,14. As correlações genéticas estimadas entre a idade ao primeiro parto e os ganhos de peso também foram negativas, porém levemente superiores (-0,29 e -0,32). Os resultados indicam que a seleção para maior ganho de peso pode reduzir a idade ao primeiro parto e aumentar o peso adulto de fêmeas da raça Nelore. Mudança genética mais rápida para diminuição da idade ao primeiro parto das fêmeas pode ser obtida com a inclusão dessa característica nos índices de seleção.

Animal performance and carcass characteristics of Nellore young bulls fed coated or uncoated urea slaughtered at different weights

The objective of this study was to evaluate animal performance and carcass characteristics of 64 Nellore young bulls at 22 months of age finished in a feedlot and slaughtered at five body weights (350; 455; 485; 555 and 580 kg) fed diets containing coated or uncoated urea. The experimental design adopted was completely randomized, set in a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement, and for the variables assessed in the control animals, it was 5 × 2. No effect of interaction between slaughter weights and diets were observed, so the variables were analyzed separately, compared by polynomial contrasts and by the F test, respectively. The time animals remained in the feedlot to reach slaughter weights was 66, 88, 145 and 194 days. Average daily gain (ADG) showed quadratic behavior, with a maximum of 1.44 kg/day with animals of 491.7 kg. Dry matter intake (DMI) (kg/day) was similar in all the treatments, but it decreased linearly as body weight increased. The bionutritional efficiency worsened linearly as body weight rose. The elevation in slaughter weight resulted in linear decrease in the percentage of beef round and increase in forequarter. Backfat thickness and rib eye area of the longissimus increased linearly and the percentages of muscle and protein in the carcass reduced and those of fat and ether extract increased linearly as body weight increased. Average daily gain, DMI, feed efficiency and carcass characteristics were not affected by diets containing coated or uncoated urea. However, animals fed coated urea presenter better crude fiber and neutral detergent fiber intake.

Melanoma maligno cutâneo: sistema de pontos (scoring system) para auxílio no diagnóstico histopatológico

INTRODUÇÃO: O diagnóstico histopatológico de algumas lesões melanocíticas pode ser muito difícil, mesmo para especialistas, mas há casos em que a dificuldade surge pela inadequada e subjetiva aplicação dos critérios diagnósticos. OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo é desenvolver um método de aplicação sistemática desses critérios, atribuindo valores para os mais importantes. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: Selecionaram-se os critérios mais relevantes para o diagnóstico de melanoma, atribuindo valores de 1 a 5 de acordo com sua importância. Foram escolhidos 101 casos de melanomas de tipo extensivo-superficial com menos de 2mm de espessura para análise comparativa com 33 lesões melanocíticas benignas (13 nevos de Spitz, seis de Reed, seis displásicos, três congênitos, três adquiridos, um combinado e um recorrente). RESULTADOS: A soma dos valores dados aos critérios (score) apresentou diferença significativa entre lesões malignas e benignas, mostrando que esse método pode ser útil ao patologista cirúrgico generalista em sua rotina diária. CONCLUSÃO: A aplicação objetiva e sistemática dos critérios histopatológicos pelo sistema de pontos (scoring system) pode ajudar o diagnóstico diferencial entre maligno e benigno em muitas lesões, porém não tendo o efeito desejado nas lesões melanocíticas de comportamento biológico indeterminado.

Non-additive genetic effects on weights and performance of a Brazilian Bos taurus x Bos indicus beef composite

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Evaluation of muscle tissue growth in Young Mediterranean Buffaloes slaughtered at different weights

This study evaluated muscle, adipose and bone tissue growth in young Mediterranean buffaloes slaughtered with different weights. Twenty eight non-castrated males, approximately 14 months old and 330 kilos, were distributed in four experimental and one control groups. Received the same diet during a non-fixed period and when reached the pre-established weights (450 kg, 480 kg, 510 kg, 540 kg) were fasted for 16 hours and slaughtered. NRC 1996, level 2, ruminal simulation program for non-castrated animals with a daily weight gain of 1.40 kg determined percentage composition of experimental diet (dry matter): coast cross hay (20.6%), corn silage (7.8%), cotton seed (8.2%), humid corn silage (46%) and commercial mineral concentrate (17.4%), representing 13% of crude protein and 2,68% of metabolizable energy (Mcal/kg). Feed was offered ad libitum twice daily. Slaughter of control group occurred after 30 days of an adaptation period. The other ones were weighted each 28 days until reached pre-established weight. Carcasses were chilled for 18 hours under -5 degrees C. Ninth, 10 degrees and 11 degrees ribs of the half left carcass were submitted to HH section and according to the statistical regression analysis (SAS, 1996), allometric coefficient value was negative (b<1) demonstrating the early growth of muscle in relation to empty carcass weight.

Apparent digestibility of diets with different concentrations of lysine and energy in piglets with different body weights and post-weaning age

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Hemodynamic evaluation of the right portal vein in healthy dogs of different body weights

Background: Doppler ultrasonography is an important tool for evaluating hepatic portal hemodynamics. However, no study in dogs of different body weights, in the range encountered in routine clinical veterinary practice, has been reported. It can be difficult to obtain an ideal insonation angle when evaluating the main portal vein, so evaluation of the right portal vein branch has been described in humans as an alternative. The aim of this study was to analyze, through Doppler ultrasonography, the hemodynamics in the right portal vein branch in dogs of different body weights.Methods: Thirty normal dogs were divided in three groups by weight, in order to establish normal values for mean velocity, flow volume and portal congestion index of the right portal vein branch by means of Doppler ultrasonography.Results: In all dogs ideal insonation angles were obtained for the right portal vein branch. The average velocity was similar in the three groups, but the portal congestion index and the flow volume differed, showing that the weight of the dog can influence these values.Conclusion: Doppler ultrasonography for the evaluation of flow in the right branch of the portal vein could be a viable alternative, or complement, to examining the main vessel segment. This is especially so in those animals in which an ideal insonation angle for examination of the main portal vein is hard to obtain. In addition, the weight of the dog must be considered for the correct evaluation of the portal system hemodynamics, particularly for portal blood flow and the congestion index.